Saturday, April 25, 2009

Committee of Government Assurances: Demands of Ex- Servicemen

Presented to Lok Sabha on 11.5.2000
We all have been victims to Indian bureaucracy and corruption at one time or the other. Applying for a passport, driver’s license, telephone connection, Khata certificate, Ration card, and so on all can be nightmarish experiences for an average Indian. To escape the long queues and complicated procedures you must either be rich with good ability to grease some palms or you must be well connected (with the high and mighty). If you aren’t either, in order to survive you must be thick skinned, patient, and must carry no sense of ego and self respect. The Ex-Servicemen who enjoys a special place in hearts of our citizens are double victims of "Red Tape and Bureaucracy". The depth of confusion and conflicting issues put up so well by Bureaucrats negates any policy implementation at National Level. Here is one sample of 60 pages of nothingness and no one is wiser about benefits that an ESM expects: How, where, by whom and when?
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES (1999-2000)
THIRTEENTH LOK SABHA FIRST REPORT
(DEMANDS OF EX-SERVICEMEN)
(Presented to Lok Sabha on 11.5.2000)
LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI

Committee on Government Assurances: Demands of Ex-Servicemen- click here for 60 pages of crap

After Lt Cols, govt approves higher pay for Lt Gens

Three days after implementing higher pay for Lt Cols, the government on Friday night approved of higher wages for lieutenant generals under the Sixth Pay Commission putting them at par with director generals of police, a key demand of the armed forces.

The defence ministry conveyed the government's decision to the Armed Forces headquarters in a letter which comes nearly seven months after the union cabinet approved the Sixth Pay Commission implementation in August last year, sources in the services' headquarters told PTI here.

Nearly 50 three-star officers, who are Lt Gens in the Army, Air Marshals in the IAF and Vice Admirals in the Navy, would benefit from the government move to place them in the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) Plus scales.

About 33 per cent of the total number of Lt Gen-rank officers would be receiving the new pay scales at par with the DGPs of state police and central paramilitary forces.

There are approximately about 150 Lt Gen-rank officers in the three services. Among them, the Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders, who are chiefs of the Service's Commands, and vice chiefs of the respective forces are already in a special category of pay scales equivalent to secretaries in the civilian services. The HAG Plus scales would be for Lt Gens who are not Commanders or Vice Chiefs.

"The armed forces are extremely happy with the government's decision to accord the HAG Plus pay scales to Lt Gens. With this, the government has restored the three-star rank officers' their status. This will surely help in resolving the seniority issue in areas where officers from the armed forces and the civilian services work jointly," a senior armed forces officer said.

By accepting this demand, the government has resolved three of the four "core issues" raised by the armed forces with Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon after the government approved the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations last year.

Other issues already solved to the satisfaction of the Services included according Pay Band-4 scales to 15,000-odd Lieutenant Colonel-rank officers, who form the backbone of the armed forces' fighting units and restoring 70 per cent weightage in pensionary benefits for the over a million-strong jawans.

While the government has already notified the amended pay order in the case of Lt Cols, the notifications for the Lt Gens and the jawans are yet to come, sources said.
After Lt Cols, govt approves higher pay for Lt Gens
Related Reading
Armed forces want cabinet to consider pay revision

Lt Col rank officers in armed forces placed in higher pay band

22 Apr 2009, 0443 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: More than 15,000 officers of the armed forces in the rank of lieutenant colonels, wing commanders and commanders in the Navy have been placed under Pay Band-4 of the sixth pay commission, making substantial difference in their salary packages.

The seven-month-long fight of the armed forces demanding pay parity with their civilian counterparts bore fruit with the forces headquarters on Tuesday notifying amended orders to place lieutenant colonel rank officers in the upper pay band.

The government had earlier this year approved demands raised by the armed forces-- Pay Band-4 for Lt Cols and equivalent and 70% pensionary weightage for jawans — based on recommendations by a ministerial committee under foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee. The notification for restoration of 70% pensionary weightage to jawans is, however, yet to be notified.

The benefits to Lt Colonels has, however, come with a condition. Only those officers who are serving in the parent organisation in "combat or combat-ready" roles, and who are not on deputation drawing higher pay from public sector undertakings, will get this benefit.

The other demands of the armed forces to resolve issues of grade pay parity of officers from captains to brigadiers with their civilian counterparts, and placing lieutenant generals in Higher Administrative Grade Plus pay scales on par with director generals of police have, however, been ignored.

"The amended notification for placing Lt Cols and equivalents in Pay Band-4 of the sixth pay commission has been issued today," a senior officer in the tri-services headquarters said here.
Lt Col rank officers in armed forces placed in higher pay band

SCPC: Twenty seven Lt Gens in Higher Administrative Group

Dear Navdeep and Friends,
The orders have, indeed been issued, but there is a rider. Only 33% Lt Gens will be on HAG+. Upgradation will be based on seniority. This will create more problems than any which it might resolve. We have created a system which is akin to landing up in a quagmire!
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)

On 4/25/09, Navdeep Singh wrote:
Friday, April 24, 2009
Congrats to Lieutenant Generals, orders for upgradation to HAG+ expected today. Rejoice if you have three stars on your car or collar or flag. Lieutenant Generals are now officially in Higher Administrative Plus (HAG+) Grade. The exact modalities on the percentage of officers upgraded to HAG+ would be released soon. The countdown for improvement of pensionary benefits for PBOR is also on.
Thanks.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 5:59 PM

Thursday, April 23, 2009
High Court issues Notice-of-Motion to ECI for not carrying out house to house survey for service voter registration. While you would soon hear more news on PB-4 and rest of the pending issues, I thought I would update readers on a very important development. As some of the readers may recall this earlier blog post, Election officials have not been carrying out house to house survey and enumeration in military and cantonment areas for registration of voters as is provided under the statute. In fact, the easiest way out to ensure participation of service voters is house to house enumeration and not filling up of Form-6 as is the practice- which basically is a residual provision if the name is not included through house to house survey or for any other reason.

The Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court today issued a Notice of Motion to the Election Commission and the Central Govt as to why house to house enumeration was not being carried out by election officials in Cantonments. While the case may not result in action as far as the current elections are concerned, it should definitely settle the law for all times to come. The Petitioner in the Writ Petition is Brig H S Ghuman, Shaurya Chakra, a veteran of the Punjab Regiment.
Posted by Navdeep/

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Friday, 24 April, 2009, 9:48 PM
Dear Colleagues,
News from the Uniform
After issuing the Notification for Lt Col to PB4 on 21 Apr 2009, today another Notification putting 33% Lt Gens into HAG+ grade has been issued. Next on the anvil are pension benefits for post 2005 PBOR pensioners.
Voting Choice?
Elections are an interesting time. Apart from the few intellectuals who espouse and pursue reformist goals, a normal citizen favours the ‘bijli sadak paani’ (BSP) issues. An average Indian, therefore, votes for fulfilment of his own needs, promised by some party or individual candidate. Voting is thus largely self-interest driven. The BSP of Ex Servicemen today is OROP. Safeguarding the interests of the PBOR, who constitute some 97% of ESM population, becomes our responsibility. Our bonds with the men do not have a limited shelf life. They still look at us as their leaders. We cannot be indifferent to their problems just because we have stepped out of uniform.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

CPM(I) Manifesto: Senior Citizens
  • Upgrading pensions of all categories of pensioners in consonance with the cost of living; one-rank one-pension for ex-servicemen
  • Building a network of old-age homes/day care centres with State support
  • Introducing differential and higher interest rate for senior citizens in all deposits and savings schemes
    COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST): MANIFESTO FOR THE 15TH LOK SABHA ELECTIONS, 2009- click me
  • Friday, April 24, 2009

    Pensionary Benefits Admissible To The Armed Forces Personnel And Their Families

    The Armed Forces Personnel are granted retiring/service pension on normal retirement/release from service on completion of the prescribed tenure. In cases of disablement in non-battle casualty cases, disability pension is sanctioned on the recommendation of the appropriate medical authority. Personnel injured/wounded during war or war like operations are granted a special pension known as War Injury Pension. The rates, terms and conditions for grant of these pensions are detailed in the following paragraphs.

    1. Retiring/Service Pension
    (i) Eligibility: minimum qualifying service required for earning retiring pension is 20 years (without weightage).
    (ii) Weightage: 9 years for Captains to 3 years for Generals is added to the qualifying service for the purpose of pension.
    (iii) Pension Formula: It is calculated at 50 % of the average emoluments drawn during the last 10 months' for 33 years qualifying service. For service less than 33 years, pension is proportionately reduced. The maximum limit of Retiring Pension is 50% of the highest pay applicable to the Armed Forces personnel.
    (iv) Communication of Person: 43% of the pension sanctioned is allowed to be Commuted
    (v) Dearness Relief: As admissible from time to time
    (vi) Retiring Gratuity: The minimum period of qualifying service required for earning retiring gratuity is 10 years(without weightage). It is calculated at the rate of 1/2 a month's reckonable emoluments for each completed six months' period of qualifying service subject to a maximum of Rs. 3.5 lakhs. For calculating gratuity, a uniform weightage of 5 years of added service is given to all ranks
    (vii) Leave encashment Upto 300 days

    PBORs
    (i) Eligibility: Minimum qualifying service required for earning Service pension is 15 years (without weightage) (20 years in the case of NCs(E).
    (ii) Weightage: Weightage of 5 added years of service is given for calculation of pension.
    (iii) Pension Formula: Pension is calculated at 50 % of the reckonable emoluments for 33 years of qualifying service to be reduced proportionately for lesser period of qualifying service. Pension is calculated with reference to the maximum pay held for 10 months preceding retirement. The minimum amount of service pension admissible w.e.f 1.1.1996 is Rs. 1275/- per month.
    (iv) Commutation: 45% of the pension sanctioned is allowed to be commuted.
    (v) Dearness Relief: As admissible from time to time.
    (vi) Service Gratuity: The minimum period of qualifying service required for earning service gratuity is 5 years (without weightage). Admissible at a uniform rate of half months reckonable emoluments for each completed 6 months period of qualifying service subject to a maximum of Rs. 3.5 lakhs.
    (vii) Leave encashment: Upto 300 days
    Directorate General Resettlement, Ministry of Defence: Kendriya Sainik Board: EX- SERVICEMEN PENSION

    Comment: The Pension entitlements have not been updated. PBORs continue to receive 50% pension instead of 70%. What is implication of "Communication of Person" as indicated in para 1 sub para (iv)?

    IESM: Chairman's Desk

    Date: Thursday, 23 April, 2009, 10:54 PM
    Dear Colleagues,
    Interaction
    Agewell Foundation had organised a symposium at India Habitat Centre on ‘Role of Older Persons in Democratic Process (With focus on One-Rank-One-Pension)’ at India Habitat Centre this evening. Admiral Subhash Chopra, Wg Cdr Praful Bakshi and I were the three panellists. There was reasonable attendance from diverse sections of society, including media. The point about OROP was effectively explained. Some apprehension of voting for BJP was allayed during interaction, including by Gen Satbir who had joined the audience subsequently. It was an opportunity well utilized.
    Best regards,
    Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Chairman IESM

    Thursday, April 23, 2009

    Status of soldiers has hit the rock bottom, but the digging continues!

    Dear Brig Kamboj,
    A few weeks ago, our course mate, Brig Dharam Prakash suggested that I examine the cause of the present unrest amongst the veterans in a holistic manner. At his behest, I wrote the attached piece, which has been published in a monthly magazine, "Freedom First" founded by the late Mr Minoo Masani.
    It may be of some interest to your readers.
    Regards,
    Surjit
    Status of soldiers has hit the rock bottom, but the digging continues!

    IESM: Chairman's Desk

    Date: Wednesday, 22 April, 2009, 10:09 PM
    Dear Colleagues,
    Elections
    Closer to polling, BJP candidates might expect some help in door-to-door canvassing. This fits into our own plans and our stated policy. However, it has been made clear that logistics for it will be provided by the concerned candidate.
    Best regards,
    Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Chairman IESM

    Demands of IESM Acronym: OCRE
  • One Rank One Pension primary demand “totally non-negotiable” under any circumstances
  • Constitution of an Ex-Servicemen Commission for welfare of veteran headed by an Ex-Servicemen
  • Representation of Ex-servicemen in all the committees and bodies constituted for looking in to Ex-Servicemen welfare affairs
  • Enactment of a Parliamentary Act for the resettlement of Ex Servicemen

    Discrimination and neglect of Ex- Servicemen media reports
    Ex-servicemen step down from poll plank for BJP
    Ex-servicemen to support BJP
    End discrimination against ex-servicemen, demand IESM
    Ex-Servicemen to support Congress
    Soldiers gear up for ballot battle
    Fundamental rights of the senior citizens (PBORs) are assassinated by the administration by unlawful, unplanned, unjustified, disintegrated & unconstitutional manner by imposing unlimited impediments to reimbursement of pension arrears to all PBORs.
    PBORs demoralised by Principal Controller of Defence Account/IRLA
  • Wednesday, April 22, 2009

    The sum and substance of restoring Lt Col Rank Status

    Dear Brig Kamboj and Friends,
    Since the issue of orders for the grant of PB-4 to Lt Col and equivalents, I have received a large number of calls and e-mails, seeking my comments on this dispensation. I am impelled to say that this instruction has come more as a relief than joy. It got delayed so inordinately that some of us begun to doubt whether it would be issued at all. Now here are the salient features.
    Economics of the award
    There is no doubt that the Lt Col have gained more than any other rank in the military. When the Report came last year, the Army Cdrs had benefited the most, by a factor of 3.07. The gain of the Lt Col was the minimum at 2.57. With the issue of this new instruction, their gain has gone up to 3.48. Therefore the arrears and the proportional increase in the salary of the half-colonels is the highest, in relative terms. For those who care for figures, here they are:
  • Pre-revised Basic Pay of Lt Col 15,100
  • Amount granted by the Pay Commission 38,880
  • Pay sanctioned by the Govt through SAI 41,690
  • Revised pay now granted (at start) 52,530
    Relativity with Civilians
    In terms of relativity with the civilians, the soldier has been done down on two counts. The grade pay granted to civilians of S-25 is Rs 8700, while the faujis have been given 8000. The start point for the S-25 scale is 39,690 while that for the Lt Col is 38,550.
    In terms of the status equation
    The soldier has slided down by one rung on the ladder. But this is true of all ranks from Lt Gen to Lt Col. Effect on the Past Pensioners The past pensioners have no status to worry about. The financial gain is significant. And that should bring cheer amongst the veteran fraternity. Since this benefit is likely to be extended to Lt Col(TS) also, the population affected is fairly large.
    Net Result
    The sum and substance is that this measure which was resisted stoutly by the MHA has become a reality, and that is a good augury. Our civilian friends had two reasons to protest. One that the military has been given MSP and two, that the present Lt Col is granted by time scale to all officers after completing only 13 years of service. Be that as it may, there is reason to believe that if the service chiefs dig in on an issue, they are able to make a difference.
    Conclusion
    I would like to conclude this mail by suggesting to the veteran fraternity that we must continue to project our issues through the men in the South Block. They are still our best bet. My greetings to all Lt Cols and equivalents.
    Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)

    PS
    I am once again attaching the letter from the Service HQ. The three pages are this times att as separate files for the benefit of those who could not open this communication last time.
    Regards,
    Surjit

  • Mandate 2009: Young voters excited, euphoric


    Forgive the Youngistanis, the new, young and urbane voters, for not knowing Das Kapital or manifestos. They are a pampered lot, must be, but are also euphoric as well as excited to vote. It seems they know the power of an individual vote.

    And among the 700-odd crores eligible voters in the Elections 2009, a significant number of voters are young boys and girls in the age group of 18 to 39. This Elections 2009 face a dearth of young political leaders apart from Rahul Gandhi, Milind Deora, Sachin Pilot, Varun Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi. And it looks like the new and young voters are left high and dry by the leaders of major parties.
    Elections 2009: Young voters excited, euphoric

    Dynasty Politics a National Scourge
    In the South Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi is an MP. Her half brothers M.K. Satlin and M.K. Azhagiri are in state politics while their cousin Kalanidhi Maran till recently was a DMK point-man in Delhi until their fallout couple of years ago. Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, a medical graduate, is Union Health Minister and is the son of Pattali Makkal Katchi chief P.K. Ramadoss in Tamil Nadu.
    All in the family: Dynasty politics is now a rage

    IESM: From the Chairman's Desk

    Photo courtesy Brig CS Kamboj
    Surrender of Medals 12 April 2009

    Date: Tuesday, 21 April, 2009, 10:05 PM
    Dear Colleagues,
    TV Programme
    Due to some developments in Sri Lanka, the telecast of Karan Thapar’s programme has been called off. The programme was too tightly timed and one got no chance to reply to/ rebut some of the points made by others.
    Best regards,
    Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Chairman IESM

    Ex-soldiers to support BJP
    Tue, Apr 14 11:45 AM
    Anger among retired soldiers over their unfulfilled longstanding demand for one rank, one pension (OROP) once again took palpable form on Sunday with ex-servicemen from across the nation returning 2,000 medals at a rally held at Jantar Mantar. The medals were returned to President Pratibha Patil by Sunday afternoon.

    Though ex-servicemen have held three such mass demonstrations since February, the one organised on Sunday may have, in all likelihood, left the UPA government anxious as soldiers announced their decision to support the BJP during the coming elections. The ex-servicemen hope projecting themselves as a strong vote bank of 25 lakh voters nationwide may help drive home their point this elections.

    The defence pensioners in the country are at loggerheads with the government because they want defence personnel of same rank and same length of service to get the pension, irrespective of the date of retirement. The Sixth Pay Commission, however, has created four classes within a class -pre-1996, post-1996 to December 2005, post-January 2006 to September 2008 and post-October 2008.

    "Our school of thought demands us to be apolitical, but the government's apathetic attitude towards our needs has forced us to take this stand. This is the last resort.

    I have issued an advisory to vote for the BJP today as it has clearly included the 'one rank one pension' issue in its manifesto and their prime ministerial candidate has supported our demand," said Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM). The inclination to vote BJP to power seemed even more pronounced with Vijay Kumar Malhotra making an appearance at the rally.

    Kadyan, however, denied inviting him."Why shouldn't we vote for the BJP? They've promised us action.

    If they fail, we'll ensure they get the same treatment that the ex-servicemen will meet out to the congress during the coming elections," said Col SS Rajan, who brought 132 medals from Karnataka to be returned to the President.
    Ex-soldiers to support BJP

    Media Reports
    Army neglected, says Gen Malik: Tribune News Service
    Ex- Servicemen back BJP: Tribune News Service

    IESM: Aims, Appraisal, Advisory and Achievements

    What may be an eye opener to you today was known to me and my friends about a year ago. We all knew that something out of the ordinary had to be done. These babus think they are too clever by half. They and the mostly illiterate and many criminal politicos know only the lingo of power. Hence the use of power of vote. All else was tried and did not work. This in no way means politicising the armed forces. Faujis are credulous but not idiots. They have been taken for a ride because of their good faith. Now, they are aware of what has been done to them and they want to correct the aberrations. Even the Army Chief has advised every one and their families to register as voters at their place of posting and exercise their vote. Voting at the place of posting is a recent facility in lieu of the much criticised and misused postal ballot.

    Gen Kadyan and a few other office bearers of IESM were invited by Secy ESM Welfare Dept to come and have a chat. At the end of the meeting, the Secy told Kadyan that till then he was not clear about OROP but after meeting the group he was now quite clear and well informed on the subject. A couple of months later, he had a similar meeting with IESL people and the bloody joker told that delegation exactly the same thing as he told Kadyan earlier on. What manipulators and liars they are !! No wonder they manipulate politicians and the courts and the Chiefs. Hopefully, no longer. Now, there are many many officers and PBORs who are ever ready to get after them and expose their evil deeds and designs. This calls for special treatment and we have to give them a dose of their own medicine.

    Many of us officers say that agitation is undignified. Do you think crawling is dignified? It is not, per se. However, both officers and men crawl as a tactical move when facing the hostile enemy. So, there are many tactics to win the battle. Power of gun, or press/TV, or agitation or even voting and supporting a particular party. Doing nothing to rectify the wrongs done and talking like Lord Haw Haw is just not on, it will not help !!
    IESM leadership and the core group have worked relentlessly and made everyone aware of their plight and how to go about correcting the wrongs done to us. They have toured Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, HP, UP and Bangaluru etc to address ESM rallies and strengthen the movement. Hats off to their perseverance, stamina and focus. They have truly followed the first principle of war viz maintenance of aim. Some of our friends have said harsh, ungentlemanly and unbecoming things about them, questioning their wisdom and even motives and honesty. Such 'wise' people can only criticise from their armchairs, without contributing in cash or with ideas or devoting any time for the cause. They just love to flaunt their obnoxious 'wisdom' and that is that. They have dubbed Kadyan a self styled chairman. Actually, by now he is like a hero for all ESM. I keep talking to my friends at various places in India and get inputs from them.

    Who says I cannot advise you whom to vote for. However, it is up to you to accept or reject my advice. It is a secret ballot and one can refuse to divulge whither one's vote went. However, things have come to such a pass that out of the ordinary actions are called for. Let me remind every one that these actions are much better than physically taking up arms for then the country goes to dogs.

    My info says that in many army messes, toasts have already been raised wishing BJP/NDA a grand success. Whether we will succeed or not, only the time will tell. Let us not forget that when Gandhi started his salt march, it was disdainfully dismissed by many a Lord Haw Haw; they averred that an anna worth of salt could not achieve much. The rest is history.

    Talking of Brig Harwant Singh who had announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate from Chandigarh, he has discussed the matter in light of the latest developments and decided not to go into the fray. He will now advise all ESM and their families and friends to vote BJP and other partner parties of NDA. This wave is catching on all over the country. That is what I hear from my friends. Let us see, my friend, you and I may soon be out of your 'catch 22 situation'.

    I became active in this movement around mid 2008. In October I decided to contribute Rs 50,000/= to partly meet the costs involved. I did it entirely on my own and because I was fully convinced that our cause was just and that the methods we wanted to adopt for furthering it were absolutely correct. We will win and deliver; I have no doubt about it, never had any right from day one. I am also glad to report that Cdr Pran Parashar, our patriarch naviator, spends about an hour or two on a daily basis at Jantar Mantar venue. He has been an inspiration to many.

    I have just checked on the websites of indiaveterans and militaryveterans. My first piece appeared in May 2008, to date I have made about 400 contributions to these two sites. My thrust has been mainly on the following lines:
  • Don't remain credulous, become street smart. You are facing very wily babus and politicos. They are totally selfish, manipulative and divisive. We have to beat them at their game.
  • Involve PBOR in our movement in a big way. They are the bulk of ESMs and they should be the backbone of this movement.
  • The destinies of those in active service and those who have retired are interlinked and intertwined. Let no show of dismay at the ESM 'taking to the streets' deter us. Let us not fall prey to this 'divide and rule' stategem.
  • We are 2 million ESMs. This vote bank figure could be over a crore if we count our families and friends. If all serving personnel and families register their votes at the place of their posting, another crore odd votes could be added after adding their friends also. We should support a party that supports our demands. We should also put up our ESM candidates from big cantonment towns. 'even if we return a dozen odd ESM MPs, we would have arrived'.

    Our movement has come a long way and, contrary to what some say and desire, it will stay on. It will force the toady orgn IESL to join us. It will truly look after the genuine needs of veterans. As it is, many many are leaving IESL and joining IESM.

    The sit- in dharna and relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar is being wound up for the time being. The core group will work from the IESM office in Gurgaon, re-assass the situation and concentrate on enlisting more members and generally spreading awareness. Further action will be taken after the election results are out.

    Lastly, comments from you and others are most welcome. They can be helpful, they can be nasty, they all are welcome. This feed back will help IESM in its future endeavours.
    Cdr K K Punchhi (Retd)
  • SCPC: Degraded Lt Col Rank Normalised

    Justice for Lt Cols after a span of 25 years
    Tuesday, April 21, 2009
    Papa Bravo– FOUR has officially confirmed (Amendment to SAI also downloadable)
    “Have you had your plus sign today” : Prince (Positivity / 1988)
    So how are my naysayer friends doing?
    Well, PB-4 orders have been issued.

    Details
  • Initial fixation– Rs 38530
  • Current Deputation status– All current deputationists to be fixed in PB-4
  • Status of Pensioner – Orders would be issued by Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare functioning under the Ministry of Defence

    PB-4: Lt Col and equivalent upgrade and contents of SAI and salary tables: click me
    Papa Bravo– FOUR officially confirmed
    Posted by Navdeep/ Maj Navdeep Singh

    Dear Navdeep,
    It is a great news for Lt Col/Cmdr/Wg Cdr rank officers. It was long awaited. You have been doing a yeoman's service for the fraternity of defence servicemen, by keeping them informed and updated from time to time. I have been reading your activities and the active role being perfomed by you for their interests. Please do accept my Greetings in this regards. Hopefully the news for the pensioners should also be out shortly.
    I.Jairath
    Gp Capt (Retd)
    Club-20

    Comment: Department of Ex Servicemen Welfare is almost defunct. Not one single issue of Pay Commission Anomalies has been debugged. What a waste of resources time and tax payers money!
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2009

    Mandate 2009

    Election 2009: Yes, there are free lunches, free TVs and free power
    As per an estimate if the politicians were to deliver all the freebies that they promise, it might take as much as one third of the budget outlay for the specific sector. Free electricity to farmers might end up being a substantial chunk of agriculture budget (in case the governments decided to honour their liability to electricity boards, that is).

    The Associated Chambers of Commerce (Assocham) recently issued a statement urging political parties to refrain from offering freebies to voters. “Experience has shown in the past that whosoever political parties promised free power and hugely subsidised wheat and rice to poorer sections ultimately landed in problems as it is difficult to keep such promises,” Assocham said. “The state electricity boards and food departments have suffered heavily as their losses mounted on account of free power and delivery of subsidised rice and wheat,” it added.

    A retired bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu told media that the promises, if delivered, may incur one- time capital expense up to Rs. 10,000 crore; increase the State's recurring expense to around Rs. 6,000 crore annually and potentially plunge Tamil Nadu into bankruptcy in the next two decades.
    Read more:
    Election 2009: Yes, there are free lunches, free TVs and free power

    Comment: The government is a pauper and it can offer freebies. The tax payers money goes to pay for non productive freebies! Government playing modern day Robin Hood sans forests bows and arrows! Shame on Politicians offering freebies!

    "Civil Service: Accountability to People", the penalists are Shri Wajahat Habibullah....!

    The Civil Services Day will be observed tomorrow. The Vice President of India, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari is to inaugurate the fourth Civil Services Day in the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The theme for this year is "Excellence in Governance". This Day is observed by all the Central Civil Services to rededicate and recommit themselves to the cause of the people. It provides a unique opportunity for introspection as also chalking out future strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the changing times. The Day is being celebrated since 2006.

    The Vice President will give away the "PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration" for the year 2007 – 08. Nine outstanding initiatives in three categories – individual, group and organization - have been selected for the award. These are: (i) Financial Sustainability of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Karnataka), (ii) Evacuation of Indian National from Beirut during the war, (iii) State Motherhood and Child Survival Programme (Gujarat) and (iv) Activity Based Learning (ABL) Modules (Tamil Nadu) in the individual category.

    In the group category, the winners are: (i) Computerization of Personnel Information System in Manipur (Manipur), (ii) SCORE: e-Registration in Bihar (Bihar), (iii) MCA-21 and (iv) Improved Health and Sanitation Practices through Convergence among district administration, panchayats and community in district Surguja (Chattisgarh). The third category of ‘Organization’ includes one initiative i.e Implementation of Risk Management in Customs.

    A book on initiatives in e-Governance titled “BYOB” compiled by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances will also be released on the occasion.. The book covers various innovations successfully tried out by different Ministries / Departments, state / UT administrations, national and international organisations.

    After the inauguration, the technical session would commence with successive panel discussion on two issues. The panel discussion will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. The panelists of the first panel discussion on ‘Performance Management in Government’ are Sh. C.M.Vasudev, Shri E.Sreedharan, Shri P.C.Halder, and Dr. Prajapati Trivedi. For the second panel discussion on ‘Civil Service: Accountability to People’, the penalists are Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Shri V.N.Dhoot, Shri. D.Swarup, and Shri G.K.Pillai. The valedictory session will feature an address by the Chief Justice of India.
    Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions: Vice President to inaugurate Civil Services Day tomorrow

    Comment: The "Civil Services" the most notorious for their "INCIVILITY" are literally being tried and penalised by Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Shri V.N.Dhoot, Shri D.Swarup, and Shri G.K.Pillai!

    Ex Servicemen raising an army of politicians for a better nation

    Colonel MS Krishnamoorthy, a member of Rashtriya Raksha Dal. The party is fielding 10 candidates in five states in this general election

    THEY ARE fighting for their country but on the political battlefield. A group of retired armymen have come together with the ambition to change Indian politics. Their party the Rashtriya Raksha Dal, aims to improve lives of villagers, the downtrodden and the socially disadvantaged.

    Registered in 1999, the party concentrated on Punjab for a while. This year, it has fielded 10 candidates in five states for the Lok Sabha election. "We decided to take up the cause of improving rural life because most of the population resides in the villages, but they are neglected. Politicians visit villages only during elections and then forget them," said Colonel M.S. Krishnamoorty, a 90-year-old World War-II veteran and a core party member. "If we improve life in rural areas, it will also address several problems like migration," he said.

    The party believes it can bring about a positive change because, according to the party members, army officers are well-educated, patriotic and self-sacrificing, and they always put the country before themselves. "We will also enlist members of the defence forces who are young and educated. These are the kind of people needed to lead and will attract the youth," said Colonel Satish Dewan, the party coordinator. Rather than a manifesto, the party prefers to call its agenda "a broad spectrum view". Along with developmental issues and employment, defence and national security also figure on the agenda. "There is an urgent need to check terrorism. Defence personnel must be given their former status and respect and the rural population needs to be educated on keeping a watchful eye," said Krishnamoorty .

    Instead of having a reservation system, the party plans to create a specially tailored education system for the socially weaker sections. Women's issues and their health are also on the agenda. "We want to encourage ayurveda and the planting of medicinal plants," Krishnamoorty said.

    Considering that corruption does not spare even the defence forces, how does the party plan to ensure they don't fall into the same trap? "We have devised a recall system," said Colonel Krishnamoorty, "The moment a worker is found guilty of corruption, he would be made to file his resignation."
    tanya.ashreena@hindustantimes.com
    Raising an army of politicians for a better nation

    Retired and hurt

    - The WEEK April 26, 2000
    Collateral damage: Subedar Sardar Singh surrenders his medals at Jantar Mantar|Photo: Sanjay Ahlawat

    ARMY Unhappy with low pensions, ex-servicemen return their medals By Syed Nazakat
    They sacrificed their best years for the armed forces. Yet, a generation of soldiers, sailors and airmen are still battling for a fair pension. Some, after a lifetime of loyalty, have to retire to a life of poverty.
    Hawaldar Bagh Singh fought in the Bangladesh war. He kept firing at the enemy even after taking 12 bullets in his legs and won a Sena Medal. Later, he served on the Rajasthan border and in the northeast, and retired in 1989.
    Today, Bagh makes do with a meagre pension of Rs 4,500. On March 14, after years of pleas for a better pension, he packed his medal in a polythene bag and mailed it to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the place where he was so memorably decorated. At age 65, Bagh works his land to support his family.

    "It is painful to return the medal. But medals can't earn you a living. It is a disgrace that after all those years of service and sacrifice we have been denied decent pension," Bagh told THE WEEK. "We want a fair pension so that we live the rest of our lives with dignity."

    Like him, thousands of ex-servicemen returned their medals to the President, protesting the government's failure to accept their demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP), i.e., equal pension in each rank irrespective of the date of retirement. Currently, there is no parity. For instance, a soldier who retired on December 31, 2005 gets Rs 3,917 as pension, but another who retired a day later gets Rs 6,100. Likewise, a hawaldar who retired in December 2005 with 24 years in service gets ?Rs 5,600 and a sepoy, who is two ranks his junior but retire after 2006 with 17 years of service, gets Rs 6,860. About 13,000 medals have been returned in the last two months.

    "We will give the government some time to react. If it does not, we will take other measures, like a nationwide signature campaign. We are soldiers. We will not sit silent," said Major General (retd) Satbir Singh, vice-chairman of Indian ex-servicemen movement. In March, a group of veterans descended on New Delhi from all parts of the country and staged a quiet, dignified protest, wearing their medals. "We have been campaigning in vain for years. Our anger is against politicians who have never fulfilled their promises," said Satbir.

    India has nearly two million ex-servicemen, whose ranks swell by 55,000 every year. Unlike other government servants, who retire at the age of 60, most soldiers are relieved in their late 30s or early 40s to keep the forces young. In the absence of jobs, pension becomes the only rallying point for them.
    When Hawaldar Ram Chander Dagar retired from the Army at age 37, the eldest of his four children was in class 10. A pension of Rs 3,000 was not enough even to feed them. "Fortunately, we had some land, and we all worked to make our living from that," said Dagar, who lost his right arm in a road accident some years ago.

    Lt Gen. (retd) Raj Kadyan, who heads the Indian ex-servicemen movement, said those who attack OROP, saying it could raise a similar demand from civilian employees, are ignorant of the forces. Raj returned his 19 medals-including a Param Vishisht Seva Medal, an Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and a Vishisht Seva Medal-earned over four decades. "When a jawan retires at the age of 40 and becomes jobless, you can only imagine how he survives with such a meagre pension," he said.

    The veterans, fighting the battle from 1983, expected the Sixth Pay Commission to eliminate the differences, but it further widened the gap. The UPA government had ruled out OROP. Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said OROP was unacceptable due to administrative, financial and legal reasons. But the ex-servicemen's move to return medals just ahead of the general elections will embarrass the Congress, whose 2004 election manifesto had promised to resolve the issue.
    BJP leader L.K. Advani promised that his party would implement OROP if voted to power. "I was pained to see that many ex-servicemen recently gave up their bravery medals in protest against the non-fulfilment of this demand. We are fully committed to implementing OROP," said Advani.
    The veterans won't be taken in by a promise made so close to the election. Said Bagh: "We are not going to give up. We might have lost a battle, but we can still win the war."
    Retired and hurt

    Veterans' view
  • They [ex-servicemen] have a genuine demand. It should be fulfilled.
    Former Army chief, Gen VP Malik
  • As a mark of protest, we are returning the medals to the President. A soldier wears his medal with pride, but we are left with no choice.
    Lt Gen (Retd) Raj Kadyan
  • It is unfortunate that veterans are on roads demanding pension.
    Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal,
    director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies
  • The right to equal pension at each rank for the same length of service derives from the same tenet.
    Maj Gen (Retd) Surjit Singh
  • IESM: TV programme on CNBC 18 on the election advisory

    Photos kind courtesy Brig CS Kamboj
    A veteran from Lucknow, with make up as Rawan, giving a skit at the rally on 12 Apr 09
    Rawan with Ram on extreme Right
    The skit by Lucknow veterans in progress

    Date: Monday, 20 April, 2009, 9:26 PM
    Dear Colleagues,
    TV Programme
    ESM may like to watch the TV programme on CNBC 18 on the IESM election advisory as per following schedule:
  • 2230 hours on 21 Apr 09
  • 1630 hours on 22 Apr 09
    The programme will be anchored by Karan Thapar and will have the following participants:
  • Gen Shankar Roychowdhury as senior ESM representative
  • Mr Singhvi as Congress spokesperson
  • Mr Prakash Chawdekar as BJP spokesperson
  • Lt Gen Raj Kadyan as IESM representative
    Best regards,
    Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Chairman IESM
    The TV Program has been postponed
  • SCPC: Ex- Servicemen clarion call a year ago

    Military veterans’ wake-up call for UPA govt! B R HARAN | Mon, 26 May, 2008 , 03:51 PM
    If Parliament is the ‘Heart’ of Democracy, then the Armed Forces can be called as the ‘Central Nervous System’ which is vital for the democracy to survive and succeed.

    The political class might feel proud of being the Members of Parliament of the world’s largest democracy, but it had miserably failed to take care of its ‘central nervous system’, which is now threatening to complicate the system of democracy, which is not good for the health of the country.

    The Armed Forces, serving as well as retired have been deeply perturbed by the callous attitude of the UPA government. They are a disappointed and demoralised lot with regards to the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

    In fact, the resentment in the Armed Forces has actually started from the Third Pay Commission (1976) itself and it has been growing since then and has reached a boiling point now due to the total neglect by the Sixth Pay Commission. It is high time the government wakes up to the issue and solves it, or otherwise, a volcano is waiting to erupt.

    The Armed Forces and the organisations like ‘All India Veterans Welfare Association’ (AIVWA) have been repeatedly airing their grievances to the government, but to no avail. Even at the time of constitution of the Sixth Pay Commission, they have requested for the inclusion of a few serving and retired military officers as members, but the government had refused.

    The Armed Forces strongly feel that the government has acted as per the whims and fancy of the bureaucracy, which has resulted in the total neglect of the Armed Forces and its requirements. The Sixth Pay Commission, which comprises members only from bureaucracy, has allegedly taken care of its self- interests while turning a blind eye to the aspirations of Armed Forces.

    While there is a growing tendency of showing lack of interests to join military service among the youth, over 120 officers have sought early retirement and 15 officers have refused to join the higher command course reserved only for the best.

    Former Army Chief Shankar Roy Choundhury feels the government is just being callous. He has reportedly said, ‘These 15 officers would be the best of the very best. It takes about 20 years to be the full Colonel whereas to be the joint secretary takes about 14 years. It has eroded the self-esteem of the defence forces. Political apathy and bureaucratic design and indifference are responsible.

    Army is one good institution. For heaven’s sake, don’t destroy it like you have destroyed everything else’.

    Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi feels that, the report of the 6th CPC has come as a rude shock and a major disappointment for both the serving and the retired military personnel, as it attempts to further erode not just the pay and allowances, but also the status of the military.

    He says, ‘We, the military veterans have no faith in the Review Committee and we totally reject the recommendations of the Committee in advance, as we know that they will neither be fair nor ameliorate the genuine concerns of both the serving and the retired personnel of the defence forces’.

    Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, echoing the feelings of the entire military establishment, minces no words in saying, ‘A political leadership that has forced the ‘soldier’ to resort to taking to the streets, because its vision is blinkered by a fawning and cunning bureaucracy, must take note that if the situation escalates, it would be solely responsible for the highly adverse consequences for the nation, which may well result’.

    Lt Col S K Menon, who is based at Coimbatore, had written a letter to UPA chairperson Sonia requesting her to reverse the humiliation meted out to the Indian service men and to block its subversion by an inept bureaucracy that has presented to the nation failed regions like J&K, Andhra, North East and many more in the pipeline.

    In his letter, he has asked, ‘why a government which can allocate Rs 60000 crore to waive of loans to farmers cannot chip in a fraction for the dignity of the saviours of the nation. While the civil services and government machinery have repeatedly failed the people, it is the Armed Forces that have always stood the test of time. Waiving off loans which have been taken by touts while illiterate farmers will get no benefits is election eyewash while degradation of the services is no optical illusion’.

    Col S S Rajan, who is based at Bangalore says, ‘There is a growing sense of resentment amongst the MILITARY VETERANS, i.e. Ex-Servicemen in India, on account of their pain and anguish brought about by years of neglect and apathy by the government of the Union of India, in not addressing the various issues relating to their pension and resettlement.

    He wants to remind the government of its solemn, commitment & sacred duty to take care of its MILITARY VETERANS who have given their sweat & blood and sacrificed their youth in the service of the nation; and of the epitaph on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier: ‘When you go home, tell them of us; for your Tomorrow; we gave our Today’.

    Captain Balakrishnan, who is based in Chennai, says, ‘It is atrocious and outrageous that the government has refused to include some of our people as members in the Sixth Pay Commission. In western countries like the US, the UK, France and others a separate commission has been functioning for the welfare of the Armed Forces and to take care of their grievances. We want the government of India to follow such a policy and if that is not possible, it should at least include some officers from the defence forces as members of the commission. Like adding insult to injury, it has not included any of us even in the review committee’.

    There seems to be a lot of anomalies in things like Military Service Pay (MSP), which has been introduced for the first time as compensation to the defence personnel. There are also anomalies with respect to Grade Pay, Pay of PBOR and Pay of Officers, etc.

    The long- pending demand of ‘One Rank One Pension’, which has been granted by the Parliamentary Committee for Defence, has been taken away by the Sixth Pay Commission.

    The leaders of different veterans organisations held a meeting at Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) HQ at 9 Nyaya Marg Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on 9 May under the aegis of IESL. They were unanimous that they need to put up a united front. It was decided to constitute a Steering Committee to plan and coordinate the strategy at the national- level and intensify the ‘Movement for Justice to Defence Services’, throughout India. Pressing the following demands they have decided to conduct a peaceful protest by name ‘FAST FOR JUSTICE’ on 27 May across the country.

    In Coimbatore, the veterans from the armed forces as well as war widows will stage a peaceful silent protest on 27 May in front of the RED CROSS building on Hozur Road from 9 am to 11 am. The families of veterans will also take part in this silent protest. In the Nilgiris the protest will also be expressed at an assembly of Ex- Servicemen of the region. In Bangalore, military veterans FAST FOR JUSTICE at Mahatma Gandhi statue on MG Road from 10 am to 4 pm.

    The veterans have issued a press release highlighting the following genuine demands:One-Rank-One- Pension (OROP): The long- standing demand of ‘one-rank-one- pension’ must be accepted immediately. Almost every political party has accepted this demand and it part of their election manifestos. This demand must be implemented by the government without any further delay.

    Resettlement of Veterans: An overwhelming number of veterans are jobless. Pension is their sole means of livelihood. With the passage of time their nutrition levels fall, reducing life expectancy. They are also considered a burden by their kinsfolk. It is the duty of the government to provide guaranteed jobs for them.

    Representation of Soldiers on Premier Committees: Why does the government not trust soldiers? All committees to resolve problems of soldiers consist of bureaucrats, who have no knowledge of the military. Strange indeed!

    Inequities in the Report of Sixth Pay Commission: The report is heavily biased against the soldier. It shows complete lack of knowledge of the working environment and the ethos of the Military. Has it been done to keep soldiers below the civil services? Why?

    Formation of a Commission for Defence Services: The problem is systemic and essentially relates to civil-military relations. These issues can only be resolved by appointing an independent Commission, which must be predominantly composed of Military personnel.

    Address All Anomalies: The Services headquarters have already addressed a detailed note to the government, pointing out the discrepancies and anomalies in the recommendations of the 6thCPC. These relate to status, pay, allowances, military service pay and pensionary benefits. These must be rectified at the earliest.

    Compensation for the War Disabled: They must be treated at par with martyrs, in terms of ex-gratia grants. War Injury Pay needs to be substantially enhanced.

    Compensation for Early Retirement: Military personnel who retire earlier than their civilian counterparts must be compensated as their life time earnings are much less than others. This should be done by giving them enhanced pension.

    The service rendered by the Armed Forces is not just service but a ‘Sacred Sacrifice’, which needs to be respected and appreciated. Their needs must be addressed as top priority and served at any cost. If the Armed Forces get disheartened and disgruntled and if the military veterans take to the streets under grief, it is not good for the health of democracy, and the government and the political class must take the entire blame. A situation like this is a ‘shame on the nation’ and this nation cannot tolerate it. It will force the nation to ultimately look up on the Armed Forces to take care of the governance of this great country!
    Military veterans’ wake-up call for UPA govt!

    Monday, April 20, 2009

    Mumbai Mayhem: Taliban Terror marching in

    Taliban Justice?

    Pakistan on verge of falling into hands of Taliban as insurgents arrive on Islamabad's doorstep ....Mon, Apr 20 12:55 PM
    Islamabad, Apr 20 (ANI): With the Taliban establishing total control over the Swat Valley following inking a deal with the government to implement Islamic law in the whole region, fears have heightened that Islamabad could be the next target of the insurgents.

    A report in the Washington Post suggests that the Taliban has arrived on the doors of the country's capital, and is on the lookout for a right opportunity to strike.

    The Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad's call of not allowing any appeals to state courts under the system of sharia, certainly proves that the Islamist group along with the extremists are aiming to implement religious regulations across Pakistan, the report stated.

    Muhammad, defying the constitution and federal judiciary of the country, had said that "un-Islamic laws and customs will be abolished" in the country, suggesting that the government's approval to implement sharia in the Valley would pave the way to it being installed in other regions too.

    Academicians in Pakistan also believe that it was a blunder on part of the government to allow the radicals have their own way in the Valley.

    "The government made a big mistake to give these guys legal cover for their agenda. Now they are going to be battle-ready to struggle for the soul of Pakistan," a professor of Security Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Rifaat Hussain said.

    Hussain feared that there will be a sudden surge in suicide bombings in the country, which has already become a daily phenomenon.

    However, political leaders of the Valley believe that the government had no other choice rather to give in to the demands of the radicals, as the military offensive carried out against the Taliban in the tribal region did not see much success.

    "We really had no other choice. We had no power to crush the militants, and people were desperate for peace," a Awami National Party (ANP) legislator from Swat, Jafar Shah said.

    "Now people are calling us Taliban without beards, but it was the only option available," he added.

    "In Swat they got their system imposed at gunpoint, and now they are ready to Taliban-ize the whole country," the exiled head of the Muttahida Qaumi Majlis party, Altaf Hussain said.

    The Taliban has also made it intentions quite clear.

    "When we achieve our goals in one place, we need to struggle for it in other areas. Sharia does not permit us to lay down our arms if the government continues anti-Muslim policies," Taliban spokesperson Muslim Khan had warned last week.

    With the Taliban announcing that the outfit would certainly start its struggle to establish Islamic law in other parts of the country, it seems that it is only a matter of time before Pakistan is transformed from a 'troubled state' to a 'failed state'. (ANI)
    Pakistan on verge of falling into hands of Taliban as insurgents arrive on Islamabad's doorstep

    IESM: Vox Populi

    IESM Advisory: Voice of 20 lakh Jawans
    Dear Kamboj Sir,
    The silent and dignified protest of ESM at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi was concluded after 118 days of hunger and relay-hunger strike. Like all great things, we made a humble beginning with a few hundreds, soon became a thousand, then many thousands on the 8th of February 2009 and many many thousands on 12th April 2009. We cannot forget those initial days when Gen Kadyan used to tell us all to be prepared for a long and hard battle. It was this unwavering long term vision of Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, Maj Gen Satbir Singh and all members of the core group that this mission has reached such great heights and has become a national phenomenon. And we have no doubt in our mind that not too far from now these thousands will convert to Lacs and even Crores. “Abhi To Ye Angdayi Hai, Aage Badi Ladayi Hai”. “Kaarwaan ab nikal pada hai Gen Kadyan ke naitritva me. Ab rokey hum nahin rukengey, badhey chalengey har or se”
    With respect, I find it rather amusing to hear all kinds of comments about the mission (and the latest election advisory to be specific) from ESM who have no idea about the ground realities. How much value can one attach to comments made while sitting in an air conditioned office when those who make such offensive comments have not even visited the actual Jantar Mantar site and have not witnessed the plight of thousands of ESM all across the nation. I request such ESM to think before they write letters. Gen Kadyan so humbly mentioned in his email last night that the value of an argument lies in its content and not the shrillness of the tone. And while I totally respect people having their own personal opinions, it is probably best that they don’t share it at a forum where it may harm the mission.
    The recent advisory clearly and explicitly mentions that while it is advised that all people associated with this mission justice for defense forces vote for BJP (and its allies), those who think differently may do so. This decision has been taken after a lot of thought going into it and those who do not accept it please do not talk about it here at this forum. And especially if you do not have any idea of what this mission really is about! This mission is about justice, respect and equality. It’s about those thousands who served the country selflessly and are now counting on this mission to bring justice to them which has been denied for years and years.
    I had the opportunity of visiting and addressing ESM at the Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi IESM rallies along with Gen Satbir, Gen Renjan and Col Bhardwaj. As also, I addressed ESM in Buxar, Patna and Arrah. I have interacted with thousands of ESM and I have personally met hundreds of officers, JCOs and jawans of all arms (and civilians too!) at Jantar Mantar. Everyone supports our cause and deeply appreciates Gen Kadyan and the rest of our leadership. I feel deeply grateful and blessed to work for this mission under this able leadership where ranks and terms like Officers, JCOs and Jawans have become obsolete and we have all come under one banner – The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement. This is probably the first time in the entire history of Indian Armed Forces that all ranks and all arms have come under the same flag for a noble cause.
    So again, please do not criticize our leaders, do not comment on there integrity and leadership capabilities. They have brought us here and they will, most definitely, make this mission successful.
    Again, with respect, I suggest all of those who still have questions, to read the announcements made at the Maha Rally carefully. Instead of being under immense pressure and inputs coming from all directions with differences of opinion, the advisory was so beautifully, intelligently and firmly announced, taking into account all possible factors. After the advisory was issued, our faith in the leadership increased a million times.
    The way we see it, we’re looking very very good. Better than ever. Nothing and no one can stop us now. Let us ignore the negative comments and let us carry this mission forward as one strong team comprising of all officers, JCOs and jawans from all arms.
    With warm regards,
    Sub Maj Hony Lt Kameshwar Pandey (Retd)
    Ex Corps of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers

    सलाहकार: वॉयस 20 लाख जवानों का
    प्रिय Kamboj महोदय,
    Jantar Mantar पर चुप ESM की और ऊंचा विरोध, नई दिल्ली में संपन्न किया गया करने के बाद भूख और रिले के 118 दिन तक भूख हड़ताल. सभी महान चीजों की तरह, हम कुछ सैकड़ों साथ है, जल्द ही, एक हजार से बने एक विनम्र शुरू किया तो 8 फरवरी 2009 पर कई हजारों और 12 अप्रैल 2009 पर कई हजारों. हम उन आरंभिक दिनों जब जनरल Kadyan सब एक लंबे और कठिन संघर्ष के लिए तैयार रहने के लिए हमें बताने के लिए इस्तेमाल नहीं भूल सकता. यह लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज Kadyan, मेजर जनरल Satbir सिंह और कोर ग्रुप के सभी सदस्यों के इस अटूट दीर्घकालिक दृष्टिकोण है कि इस मिशन ऐसे महान ऊँचाइयों तक पहुँच गया है और एक राष्ट्रीय घटना बन गई है. और हम जानते हैं कि नहीं बहुत दूर अब से इन हजारों Lacs और भी करोड़ों में कन्वर्ट करेंगे हमारे मन में कोई संदेह नहीं है. "अभी शुरुआत है, वहाँ बड़ी लड़ाई आगे" है. "इस आंदोलन के जनरल Kadyan के नेतृत्व में शुरू किया जा चुका है. अब हम रोक नहीं होगा, हम अधिक से अधिक दूरी और चुनौतियों का सामना करने के लिए मार्च करेंगे."
    सम्मान के साथ, मैं यह नहीं बल्कि इस मिशन के बारे में टिप्पणी के सभी प्रकार के सुनने के लिए मनोरंजक (और नवीनतम चुनाव विशिष्ट होना) ESM से सलाहकार जो जमीनी वास्तविकताओं के बारे में पता नहीं है लगता है. कितना मूल्य एक टिप्पणी करते हुए एक हवा में कार्यालय हनी फिया बैठे बनाया करने के लिए संलग्न कर सकते हैं जब वे जो इस तरह आक्रामक टिप्पणी भी और वास्तविक Jantar Mantar स्थल का दौरा नहीं किया है ESM हजारों सारे देश भर की दशा देखी नहीं है बनाते हैं. मैं इससे पहले कि वे पत्र लिखने सोचने के लिए ऐसी ESM अनुरोध करता हूँ. जनरल Kadyan इतना विनय पूर्वक अपने ईमेल पिछली रात में एक तर्क की कीमत अपनी सामग्री में नहीं टोन के काम झूठ का उल्लेख किया. और जब मैं पूरी तरह से लोगों का सम्मान, यह शायद सबसे अच्छा है कि वे एक मंच पर जहां यह मिशन को नुकसान पहुँचा सकती है यह हिस्सा नहीं है अपने स्वयं के व्यक्तिगत राय है.
    हाल की सलाहकार साफ और स्पष्ट उल्लेख है कि जब यह सलाह दी जाती है कि सभी लोगों को भाजपा के लिए सुरक्षा बलों को वोट के लिए इस अभियान को न्याय के साथ (और उसके सहयोगियों संबद्ध), जो अलग तरीके से ऐसा कर सकते हैं लगता है. इस निर्णय की एक बहुत बाद में जा रहा है और जो लोग इसके बारे में यहाँ इस मंच पर बात नहीं करते कृपया स्वीकार नहीं सोचा लिया गया है. और विशेष रूप से यदि आप इस अभियान के बारे में सच क्या है कोई अंदाजा नहीं है! इस अभियान के बारे में न्याय, सम्मान और समानता है. यह जो नि: स्वार्थ और देश की सेवा अब इस मिशन पर उन्हें जो साल और साल के लिए मना कर दिया गया है न्याय लाने की गिनती कर रहे हैं उन हजारों के बारे में है.
    मैं पर जाकर और कानपुर, लखनऊ और जनरल Satbir, जनरल Renjan और कर्नल भारद्वाज के साथ वाराणसी IESM रैलियों में ESM को संबोधित करने का मौका दिया था. वैसे भी, मैं Buxar, पटना और Arrah में ESM को संबोधित किया. मैं ESM के हजारों के साथ बातचीत की है और मैं व्यक्तिगत रूप से अधिकारियों, जे सी ओ और सभी हथियारों के जवानों के सैकड़ों मिले हैं Jantar Mantar भी!) में (और नागरिकों. हर कोई और हमारी कारण का समर्थन करता है गहरा जनरल Kadyan और हमारा नेतृत्व बाकी की सराहना करता है. मैं बहुत आभारी हैं और इस में सक्षम नेतृत्व में इस अभियान के लिए काम करने के लिए धन्य महसूस जहां रैंकों और अधिकारियों, जेसीओ और जवानों अप्रचलित हो गए हैं जैसे नियम और हम सभी को एक बैनर के नीचे - भारतीय पूर्व सैनिक मूवमेंट आए हैं. यह शायद भारतीय सशस्त्र बलों के पूरे इतिहास में पहली बार हुआ है कि सभी रैंकों और सभी हथियारों की एक ही ध्वज के अधीन एक नेक काम के लिए आया है.
    तो फिर, हमारे नेताओं की आलोचना नहीं करते हैं, वहाँ अखंडता और नेतृत्व क्षमता पर कोई टिप्पणी नहीं करते कृपया. वे हमें यहाँ ले आए हैं और वे करेंगे, सबसे निश्चित रूप से, इस अभियान को सफल बनाने.
    फिर से, सम्मान के साथ, मैं इस घोषणा के महा रैली को ध्यान से पढ़ने के लिए दिया जो लोग अभी भी प्रश्न हैं का सुझाव देते हैं. बजाय, सलाहकार इतनी खूबसूरती, समझदारी और भारी दबाव था और निविष्टियाँ राय के अंतर के साथ सभी दिशाओं से आने के तहत किया जा रहा दृढ़ता की घोषणा की, खाते में हर संभव कारक रही. सलाहकार के बाद, एक लाख गुना बढ़ नेतृत्व में हमारे विश्वास को जारी किया गया था.
    हम इसे देख जिस तरह, हम बहुत बहुत अच्छी लग रही हो. कभी की तुलना में बेहतर है. कुछ भी नहीं है और अब हमें कोई नहीं रोक सकता है. हमें नकारात्मक टिप्पणी की उपेक्षा और हमें एक मजबूत टीम के सभी अधिकारियों, जे सी ओ और जवानों के सभी हथियारों से शामिल के रूप में इस अभियान को आगे ले जाने हैं.
    के साथ गर्म, संबंध
    सूबेदार मेजर मानद लेफ्टिनेंट Kameshwar पांडेय (सेवानिवृत्त)
    पूर्व कोर इंजीनियर्स इलेक्ट्रिकल और मैकेनिकल की

    IESM: Jantar Mantar protest concluded after Maha Rally on 12 Apr 2009- record 118 days

    Photographs courtesy Brig CS KambojThe team of veterans from Tri City (Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula) arriving at Jantar Mantar on 12 Apr 2009

    Lt Gen SK Bahri, 1st JSW Course, who very frequently visited the IESM Shamiana at Jantar Mantar and attended all the rallies held there

    Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, Chairman IESM, giving a talk at the Maha Rally on 12 Apr 09
    Cdr Pran Parashar, who visited The IESM Shamiana, every day from 16 Dec 08 onwards till 12 Apr 09, except on days when his car driver was on leave, since being above 80 years Cdr Parashar does not hold a driving licence
    Hav Kaka Singh, who lost his eyesight in 1965 while clearing a mine field, came from Punjab for the Maha Rally at Jantar Mantar on 12 Apr 09

    Date: Sunday, 19 April, 2009, 10:28 PM
    Dear Colleagues,
    Elections
    The country is gripped in the election fever. There is no clarity yet on the likely outcome. The ESM continue to wait with hope and wish that the new government is favourably disposed towards their cause.
    Jantar Mantar
    ESM are once again reminded that the Jantar Mantar venue is closed down with effect from 13 Apr 2009. Our apologies to Col DP Singh and his party from Mumbai that arrived at Jantar Mantar today and did not find anyone of us there.
    Best regards,
    Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Chairman IESM

    Sunday, April 19, 2009

    SCPC: IESM Advisory and Pension Anomalies

    Respected Sir,
    The advisory is a must. You have done a right thing at the right time. Come what may. We will stand to it. It is a great guidance to our PBORs who are running from pillar to post for the past 60 years for a Leader and good Leadership. Now we have got it, that is IESM, Lt Gen Raj Kadyan and its team. We will win. May God bless u all with good health to enjoy the fruits of victory.
    Yours sincerely,
    C Muthukrishnan (Ex Sgt)
    Active Member IESM
    Blog: indianexserviceman.blogspsot.com

    ANAMOLY IN FIXING MINIMUM PENSION/ FAMILY PENSION
    The consolidation of revised pension as per para 4 of MOD letter dt.11.11.08, enhances the minimum pension of Rs.1,275 to Rs 2883. However, the Commission was gracious enough to ignore the formula and fixed the minimum pension/family pension toall as Rs 3500/-. The Commission had added Rs 617 to the consolidated amount of Rs 2883 and fixed the minimum pension/family pension as Rs 3500/. But at the same time it had not allowed the addition of Rs 617 uniformly to all range of pensioners. While the pre- revised minimum pension of Rs 1275 can be equated to Rs 3500, then the pre- revised pension of Rs 1548 should be equated to Rs 4117 and not 3500 as given in the Table Annexure I. The consolidation formula failed to provide adequate increase in the revised pension and therefore the commission recommended the minimum pension to be Rs 3500. The same amount of addition of Rs 617 should have been given throughout the range of all the pensioners.

    ANAMOLY IN REVISING THE DISABILITY PENSION
    When a defence pensioner, say for example a Sepoy is said to be drawing Rs 1275 as service element and Rs 310 as (20%) disability element. Now while revising the pension, the Banks are adopting the most disadvantageous method. They add Rs 1275 and 310 and arrive at 1585 and they refer Annexure I to find out the revised pension equal to 1585 which is Rs 3583. On the other hand, if the revision is done separately for service element and disability element then the revised pension will become as follows:

    The service element 1275 will fetch Rs 3500 and the disability element Rs 310 will fetch Rs 700 thereby a total of Rs 4200 will be his revised pension. Now find out the difference in the revised pension between the two methods. The difference is Rs 617. The beneficial methods should always be applied. The MOD should give specific instructions to all PDAs in this regard. If the consolidation is done separately for service element and disability element, the revised pension will be as under:-

    Pre-revised pension 1275 will be revised to Rs 3500. Pre-revised 20% disability of 310 if consolidated Separately as per para 4.1 of MOD letter dt.11.11.08. Then the revised disability for the pre-revised 310 will be Rs 700. Total revised pension will be Rs 4200. DR @ 22% will be Rs 924. Total pension Rs 5124. Instead if it is consolidated by adding the pre-revised service element of Rs 1275 with the pre-revised disability element of Rs 310 together to 1585 and the referring Annexure 1 it will fetch Rs.3583. Now look at the difference in the revised pension in both methods.
  • By separate consolidation method Rs 4200
  • By adding together Rs 3583
  • Reduction in monthly pension Rs 617
    The total reduction in the monthly pension from 1.1.06 to 31.3.09 For 39 months including DR Rs 26,141. The reduction in the monthly pension will be same for all ranks as shown above. Therefore all pensioners who are drawing disability pension are requested to verify that they are paid the following rates of disability pension w.e.f. 1.1.06 with DR calculated separately.
    Disability
    100% Rs 3500
    90% Rs 3150
    80% Rs 2800
    70% Rs 2450
    60% Rs 2100
    50% Rs 1750
    40% Rs 1400
    30% Rs 1050
    20% Rs 700
  • Change of Command Ceremony- US Army


    more photographs click here

    Change of command of a unit or formation is a very important event. Sadly, in the Indian Army this function is mostly confined to the offices.

    I had the pleasure of witnessing change of command of a US Army Reserve unit, in San Diego, California in 2007. Let me recount the details.

    The main event of the ceremony was a ceremonial parade by the unit personnel. It was presided over by the Brigade Commander, who had come from a few hundred miles away. To witness the parade, former serving and retired Brigade Commanders, officers commanding, other officers, NCOs and men were invited. I was a special invitee, guest of a serving Colonel. A band was in attendance.

    The Brigade Commander reviewed and addressed the parade. He praised the services of the out going Officer Commanding and introduced the incoming incumbent. Next, the out going and incoming Officers commanding addressed the parade and also the senior most NCO (like our Subedar Major).

    During the speeches, the role played by the ladies of the Unit was highlighted too, particularly since this unit had sent sub units to Iraq and some were due to go.

    The Brigade Commander and the two officers commanding went down from the podium. The Senior Most NCO took the Regimental Standard from the Honour Guard and handed it over to the out going officer commanding. He in turn handed it over to the Brigade Commander. The Brigade Commander handed over the Standard to the new Officer Commanding and he in turn handed it back to the senior most NCO. This was followed by a march past.

    After the Parade refreshments were served and there was social interaction.

    ABOVE ARE PICTURES OF COL ARJINDERPAL SINGH SEKHON, US ARMY (A CARDIOLOGIST) TAKING OVER COMMAND OF THE US 349TH COMBAT SUPPORT HOSPITAL ON JANUARY 21, 2007, LOS ANGELES.
    Col Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, US Army- Command Ceremony

    Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM
    Signal Officer-in-Chief, 1988-91

    IESM: Chairman Report

    Date: Saturday, 18 April, 2009, 10:12 PM
    Dear Colleagues,
    Advisory
    One feels edified at the continuing debate on the advisory. I personally find both ayes and the nays informative and interesting. The environment will agree that the weight of an argument lies in its content and not on the shrillness of tone or the harshness of adjectives. While the debate must continue, let us keep its genre at a level that behoves us. I hope to participate in a TV debate next week on the subject; will disseminate details if it materialises.
    Best regards,
    Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Chairman IESM

    12 April 2009- a few days ago
    Retired personnel of Indian defence services on Sunday staged a massive protest rally here, to express their anguish over Central Governments delay over their long-pending demand for One Rank-One Pension.

    New Delhi, Apr 12 : Retired personnel of Indian defence services on Sunday staged a massive protest rally here, to express their anguish over Central Government's delay over their long-pending demand for 'One Rank-One Pension'.

    Ex-servicemen of varying ranks also returned their medals to the government.

    Their demand 'One Rank-One Pension' stipulates that irrespective of the date on which the soldier retires, he should get the same pension.

    The former defence personnel have cited that in absence of 'One Rank-One Pension', anomalies in the pension of two persons of same rank arise and also there are instances of hundreds of war veterans drawing lower amount of pension as compared to personnel who retired in the recent past.

    "Government should have fulfilled our demands by now, but still these are not met. After trying whatever we can, we have been forced to put forth our demand in public. We want to show our unity to the country and secondly at the end of the rally we will give advice, to vote for what particular party," said Lieutenant General Raj Kadyan, Indian Ex- servicemen Movement (IESM) Chairman.

    Capitalising on the demands voiced by the former uniformed personnel of defence forces, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come forth to support their demand and in its election manifesto. The party has promised to implement the 'One Rank-One Pension' for ex-servicemen.

    "We have promised in our manifesto that this pension will be tax free and the money that will be collected in the bank and the interest will have no income tax on it," said V. K. Malhotra, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader.

    The movement has now intensified since the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission did not address the issue of 'One Rank-One Pension'.
    Ex-servicemen stage protest for One Rank-One Pension

    Terrorism is related to hawala transanctions and black money

    WASHINGTON: Cautioning that the 'hawala' money in India is directly linked to terrorist financing, the US has suggested to New Delhi to strengthen its anti- money laundering and counter terrorism- finance legislation's.

    It also recommended that New Delhi should work towards becoming a full-fledged member of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter- governmental body for development of policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

    While noting that the Indian Parliament passed the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, early this week, a US State Department report has suggested that India should make necessary legislative amendments to bring its anti money laundering and counter terrorism finance regime in conformity to FATF.

    "Given the number of terrorist attacks in India and the fact that in India hawala is directly linked to terrorist financing, India should prioritise cooperation with international initiatives that provide increased transparency in alternative remittance systems," said the report in its section on India related to money laundering.

    The report, released by Assistant US Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, David T Johnson, quoted RBI estimates that remittances to India sent through legal, formal channels in 2007-2008 amounted to USD 42.6 billion.

    According to Indian observers, the report said funds transferred through the billion dollar hawala market are equal to between 30 to 40 per cent of the formal market.

    "In that case the hawala market could amount to between USD 13 billion to USD 17 billion," the report on International Narcotics Control Strategy, said.

    Given the large number of expatriates, India continues to retain its position as the leading recipient of remittances, according to the World Bank.

    India's strict foreign-exchange laws and transaction reporting requirements, combined with banking industry's due diligence policy, makes it difficult for criminals to use formal channels to launder money, the report said.

    However, large portions of illegal proceeds are often laundered through "hawala" or "hundi" networks or other informal money transfer systems.

    The report appreciated the steps taken by India post 9/11 with regard to money laundering and its possible use by terrorist network. However, several key steps are still required to be taken by New Delhi, it felt.

    Listing out the steps New Delhi still needs to take, the report said India should become a party to the UN Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime and Corruption.

    "Also, India should pass the Foreign Contribution Regulation Bill for regulating nongovernmental organisations including charities," it said.

    "India should devote more law enforcement and customs resources to curb abuses in the diamond trade. It should also consider the establishment of a Trade Transparency Unit (TTU) that promotes trade transparency; in India, trade is the back door to underground financial systems," the report said.

    The hawala system can provide the same remittance service as a bank with little or no documentation, at lower rates and with faster delivery, while providing anonymity and security for its customers, the report said.

    According to the report, while most money laundering in India aims to facilitate widespread tax avoidance, criminal activity contributes substantially. Some common sources of illegal proceeds in India are narcotics trafficking, illegal trade in endangered wildlife, trade in illegal gems (particularly diamonds), smuggling, trafficking in persons, corruption, and income tax evasion, it said.
    Hawala money in India linked to terror funding: US

    Related reading:
    Black Money In Swiss Bank: Swiss Banking Association report 2006
    Black money in Swiss banks people's money : Advani
    Campaign to unearth black money in Swiss banks
    LS polls to cost more than US prez poll

    When the crusade of the West against Swiss banks is succeeding, here Dr Manmohan Singh and his government, instead of celebrating, seem to be worried at their success. Three bits of evidence expose the Congress-led government’s not-so-well-hidden worry. First, when Germany’s finance ministry offered the LTG bank secret data to any country that needed it, the government would not ask for it despite reports that it contained some 100 Indian names. When in April last year, L K Advani wrote to Manmohan, requesting to him to ask Germany for the data, the then finance minister responded evasively. Transparency International noted India’s “stoic silence over the issue” and that it “has not approached the German government for the data’’ (Economic Times, May 25 2008). More, the revenue secretary in Delhi has reportedly advised the Indian ambassador in Berlin not to push Germany for the details as Germany might not like it– clear proof that the government is scuttling, not getting, the details.
    A deafening silence on funny money

    Comment: "Cash for Votes" is financed from Hawala money transactions. The Government is handicapped and powerless at the might of Hawala and Black money operators/ perpetrators. The Income Tax Department, Home Ministry and RBI are mute spectators and really are extensions of government committing fraud on honest citizens!

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